Buffalo Bills News - April 12, 2002

A different show [8:36 AM]WGRZ-TV reports:
'As I see it, Dwight Adams deserves that spotlight again, even if it has to be somewhere else, and another group of writers and sportscasters will enjoy learning while being entertained at the same time. He can't be copied. He IS the original.'

Freeney bigger, faster in visit with Bills [9:28 PM]AP reports:
'Defensive end Dwight Freeney, who set an NCAA record with 17.5 sacks at Syracuse last year, is both bigger and faster as he prepares to enter next week's NFL draft. "I ran a 4.38 and I weighed in at 263," Freeney said Thursday of his time, in seconds, in running 40 yards at a recent NFL workout. "That's the heaviest I've ever been, and the fastest I've ever ran."'

Bills may pass on Bledsoe if Patriots continue to play hardball [5:02 AM]Providence Journal reports:
'The Bills have so far sent the Patriots two proposals. The Patriots countered the first with a request far above what Buffalo was willing to give up. The Bills sent another which, as far as can be determined, hasn't been countered. The Pats would like a first-round pick. The Bills, picking fourth overall, will not part with that. Since the Bills are the only team actively seeking Bledsoe at this point, they see no reason to bid against themselves. The Pats' poker face hasn't flinched.'

April 10, 2002

Mike Doser: Bills so tight-lipped, their lips are BLUE! [9:12 PM]Shout! reports:
One player Buffalo won't be taking is defensive back Miami's Ed Reed, who projects as a free safety, who Dave Smith scouted: "He didn't show a lot of physical talent, but he has good ball skills." Conclusion: If he's not physical, he's not going to be in Buffalo next season. But Reed is still in Buffalo today to visit with the team; Smith just doesn't seem to like him very much ...

NFL Draft Facts & Figures [9:10 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
Some facts and figures on the 67th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting

Top Defensive Line Prospects [4:41 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
DT Ryan Sims (North Carolina) says he can fit in anywhere. Does he fit into the Bills plans? Here are the top defensive line prospects.

Bills aren't giving away any secrets [11:58 AM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'"Our job is to look at the player. There's only one way to evaluate a player coming into this league and that's to sit down and look at the tape...the tape is still the most important thing. But the draft has almost become a cult...and people have so much fun with it. Still, a lot of information out there is not necessarily how we feel and we can't react to every piece of information that's thrown out there by a draft guru."'

Rookie Review: Reggie Germany [11:13 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:Q: What went through your head when you heard that you had been drafted?
A: I was a little disappointed I thought that I was going to go higher than I did. But then the way it turned out, this is probably the best place for me. I got the opportunity to get out on the field right away and showcase my talents. That's what I am here for and that's exciting for me.

Bills get their kicks with Hollis [9:12 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Hollis signed for the veteran minimum of $650,000 with no signing bonus. Under a new league rule he will count only $450,000 against the salary cap.'

Bills discuss plans to deal for Pats' Bledsoe [8:37 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'As for his first pick on draft day April 20, Donahoe vowed the Bills would opt for "the best available player" regardless of position. "When you are 3-13, I don't think you have a starting anything," Donahoe said, referring to the team's showing last season.'

Bills quiet on QB pick [5:03 AM]D and C reports:
'"I have no idea," said Harrington when asked point-blank if the Bills are going to take him. "Not a clue, not an inkling of an idea, I'm just as clueless as you guys."'

Free agent Hollis agrees to terms [5:02 AM]D and C reports:
'"Buffalo was a little more impatient and wanted to get something done,'' said agent Jim Gaetano, who confirmed the deal. "They really wanted Mike."'

Bills keep Bledsoe in mind [5:01 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'''All we've tried to do with any of these other quarterbacks is to research them and see if it makes sense. Obviously, we have to go to camp with more than two quarterbacks. We'll have four quarterbacks when we go to camp. Will that be another veteran? Will it be a draft pick? Will it be a young guy? I don't know the answer to that at this point."'

Donahoe plays it close to vest [5:00 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'"We have two pretty good quarterbacks here," Donahoe said. "Alex Van Pelt did a quality job for us last year and Travis Brown is an outstanding prospect. Obviously we have to go to training camp with more than two quarterbacks. Will it be another veteran? Or a draft pick? Or a young guy? I don't know the answer to that at this point."'

Kicker Hollis signs with Buffalo [4:59 AM]Florida Times Union reports:
'Hollis had hoped to get a bigger deal in free agency but his bargaining power was hurt when he made only 18 of 28 field goal attempts last year. The Bills told him they would make the offer to another kicker if he didn't accept and he decided it was his best option.'

Hollis agrees to one-year deal with Bills [4:58 AM]AP reports:
'"They both got something out of it," Hollis' agent, James Gaetano, said. "It'll help Mike in the sense that here's a team that needs somebody in that position. And with the way they played last year, they looked like they could've been helped by somebody that could give them a boost in that area."'

April 9, 2002

Bills map out draft plans [8:32 PM]WKBW-TV reports:
'They met the media to map out their draft plans today and GM Tom Donahoe offered little clues as to which way he's leaning. He did say there's a lot of speculation and guessing about draft picks this time of year.'

Joey Harrington Visits Bills [8:29 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
"Everybody is (talking about trading down). Like I said, nobody is going to give me a straight answer. 'Well, we like you, we might take you or we might trade down or we might pass on you, or we might take you and trade you.' There are no straight answers."

Bills Sign New Kicker [8:28 PM]WIVB-TV reports:
'The agent for the Jaguars veteran free agent [Mike Hollis] confirms to WIVB-TV that Hollis has agreed to a one year contract.'

Ryan Sims visits Bills [8:17 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
'What did the Bills tell you that they would want out of your position and you specifically? Basically, just continue to do what I do. Just play hard, play every snap. Run to the ball and just make big plays when you need it.'

Ed Reed Visits Bills [8:15 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
'What did the Bills staff talk to you about? We talked about my agent, me not having an agent and how my trip was going. Just basically how it was going to be after the draft, once you get drafted to whatever city you go to.'

Bills keep everyone guessing on draft and Bledsoe [8:14 PM]AP reports:
'Donahoe has already begun laying a new foundation, bolstering his roster with six free-agent acquisitions over the past month. Those additions include two likely starters: linebacker London Fletcher and offensive tackle Trey Teague. As a result, the Bills most pressing concerns entering the draft are at defensive line, where they need another nosetackle to complement returning veteran Pat Williams, and at strong safety.'

Bills sign Mike Hollis [7:25 PM]WGR Sports Radio 55 reports:
WGR Sports Radio 55's Bills reporter Chris Brown reports that Buffalo has agreed to terms with Jacksonville free agent kicker Mike Hollis. Brown says it's a one year deal for $650,000 and no signing bonus. Hollis was 64% on field goals last year. He is 10 for 14 from beyond the 49 yard line, and is 80% lifetime on field goals.

Interesting insights into Donhoe and Modrak's drafting MO [7:05 PM]ESPN reports:
Maybe John Butler isn't such a fool after all: "Of the team's starters in '01, 15 were drafted by the Steelers (NFL average: 12), including these Pro Bowlers: quarterback Kordell Stewart, guard Alan Faneca and linebackers Jason Gildon and Kendrell Bell (the defensive Rookie of the Year). Faneca is the only No.1 pick in that group. Last year, opening day rosters across the league featured 26 players drafted by the Steelers. Only the Bills, with 27, drafted more."

Buffalo Bills Draft Tidbits [6:54 PM]buffalobills.com reports:
Less than a month to the 2002 NFL Draft, all focus is surrounding Buffalo's 11 draft picks. Here are a few things you may have not known about Buffalo's draft history.